Bemo turns your phone into a smart thermostat

Smart heating systems are a great idea, but most are very pricey. Bemo, however, is more affordable.

It looks simple to use, too. You control it using your Android or iOS device, meaning there’s no complicated new doohicky to get to grips with or break. Like most smart heating systems it connects over Wi-Fi, but you can also control it by SMS, which is a nice touch. It means you won’t freeze just because the Wi-Fi has gone down.

The device costs $129 (£80), and the app is free. Considering Nest is $249, Bemo looks like an attractive proposition.

If you have an old smartphone lying around, you could even use that as a dedicated thermostat, instead of shelling out hundreds on a separate device.

Like other systems, Bemo lets you control the heating and air conditioning from afar, so you can have your house nice and toasty when you get home, or stop the heating coming on if you’ve been called out on important business. Like having a quick pint after work.

Unlike pricier systems, you won’t need an expert to set it up, as it comes with an installation kit. The device itself comes in black or white, and can also be used to stream music around the house.

Energy monitoring lets you see how much you’re saving, both in terms of energy and money.